The broadcast switchers market is driven by various factors such as
transition from analog to digital broadcasting, growing focus on
production automation, growing adoption of HD worldwide and rising
number of digital channels. The global broadcast switchers market was
valued at USD 1,200 million in 2012 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of
6.9% during the forecast period from 2013 to 2019. However, lack of
standardization in content distribution and high cost of broadcasting
equipments are some of the factors inhibiting the growth of this market.

In terms of type segmentation, routing switchers segment is the largest
segment and accounted for 47.4% share in 2012 followed by production
switchers that accounted for 40.0% of the global market share in 2012.
Need for content at more places and growing use of broadcasting
equipment in sports broadcasting, news production, places of worship and
corporate conferences are te factors driving the growth of switchers
market during the forecast period.

In terms of type of ports, switchers market is divided in coaxial port
segment, uncompressed IP port segment, compressed IP port segment and
other segment that includes HDMI ports, VGA ports and DVI ports.
Switchers with coaxial ports dominated the market with 78.15% of the
global market in 2012. However, Switchers with compressed IP are
expected to show highest growth of CAGR 16.7% followed by uncompressed
IP with a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period. The growth of
compressed IP port segment is attributed to its in input as well as
output ports and its use in different content distributions. In
addition, cost of uncompressed IP and compressed IP ports are expected
to be low over the forecast thus driving the market for these two
segments.

In terms of type of video resolution, the global market for switchers is
segmented into SD (Standard Definition) 1080i (HD), 1080p (Full HD) and
4k video resolution segment. HD is the largest segment and accounted for
74.80% of the global broadcast switchers market. With digitalization and
increase in adoption of HD the demand for SD is expected to decline
throughout the forecast period. However, with growing demand of 3D and
4k is expected to drive the market in coming future. Market players such
as Sony are expected to come with 4k shortly.